Elastic fluid turbine



June 2, 1931- R. .1. cAuGHEY ELAsTIc 'FLUID TURBINE Filed May 19, lsa4hulp',

lill/ll a U Figi Spiced Governor v 43 36 a7 49' His Attor'peg.

fill: riff/ A l 'A Il 1 $155 a M Paieted June 2, 1931 i. uNrrl-mI STATESPATENT am@ :REED J. enumerar,V on sCHEnEcTAD-Y, New YoitmassieivonmoGENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A comen-Arioivor NEW ,Yoax' 'i of amanually-operated valve.

nLAsfrIc FLUID TU BBINE Application filed May 191,v

In the starting of elastic fluid turbines, it is the practice first to4warm up the turbine at a red-uced speed and then gradually to bring theturbine up to operating speed by means After the turbine has beenbrought up to operating speed, the manually-operated valve is openedwide and the speed governor-operated valve iol gear then takes controlof 'the' admission of the elastic fluidto the turbine.Y After theturbine has been brought-up to speed andl placed under control of thegovernor-operated valve gear, thel load is. then applied. Evenafterthe-turbine has been warmed up I and then brought up to operatingspeed,it is stilldesirable that the load be applied gradually and thattheturbine be operated for a considerable time at lighter loads beforefull load is applied, in order -to insure the even heating of theturbine structure and to prevent unequal expansion.

One object of my presentinventionis to provide an improved constructionand arrangement whereby only a' predetermined load can be initiallyapplied to the turbine, it being necessary for the operative to makespecial adjustments-in,order to apply full load to the` machine.A'furtlier` object of my invention is tolprovide an improved conn`struction whereby when the turbine is shutdown it cannot be started upagain without first adjusting the mechanism which prevents initially theapplication of mOre than al predetermined. load to the turbine. y

My invention may be carried out in connection with a turbine having anysuitable type of valvegear. Some turbineshave a valve ,means 'comprisingonly'a valve or a' plurality of valves which admits elastic fluid.directly tothe first stage. Other turbines are providednot only with avalve means comprising a valve or a plurality ofvalves for admittingelastic iuid to the first stage, but also Vwith what is termed anoverload valve means or vsecondary valve means which admits elasticfluidto a lower stage of the turbine. My invention maybe applied to turbines`of either type. In thecase of turbines of the .first type thevarrangement may Vbe such that the valve means for admitting elas-r1928. Serial No. 279,149.

tic fluid to-'the first stage of the turbine can be only partiallyopened during the initial period. In the case'of turbines of thesecond-l referred to type, the arrangement may be suchthat the valvemeans admitting elasticfluid to the first stage of the turbine, whichvalve means is termed usually the` primary valve means, may be fullyopened during the initial starting period butthe overload or secondaryvalve means cannot be opened.

In the latter case, by my invention I prevent c the starting oftheturbine with the overload valve means open. i

For a consideration of whatI consider t0 be novel and my invention,attention is directed to the following vspecification and the claimsappended thereto. .Y i i Inthe drawings, Fig. lis a diagrammatic view ofa valve gear embodying my invention, the samebeingrshown applied to anelastic iuid turbine having a primary valve means and aseconidary' oroverload valve mea-ns;

Fig. 2 is a view similar tov Fig. lshowing the Voperating parts vin adifferent position, and Fig.3i samodification;

Referring tothedrawings, lFigs.v 1 and 2, 1 indicates Aa primary controlvalve having a stem connectedto' an operating lever- 2, the freeend ofwhich is provided with a roller 3 which rests'on a cam 4. Cam 4 has asurface which maybe termedthe valve opening surface and a concentricsurface 6 which moves underl roller 3 and serves to maintain the valveopen upon continued movement of thecam in a counter clockwisedirection.

Cani 4 is carried by shaft 7. on which is mounted apinion 8 which mesheswith a rack 9 on the rod 10fof a duid-actuated motor. 11 indicates thepiston of thefluid-actuated ino,- tor,r12- the cylinder land, 13 thepilot valve. When piston 11 moves downward in cylindery 12, cam 4 is,turnedl inr a direction to open valve 1 andwhen piston 11 moves upwardinthecylinder,A cam 4 is turned in a direction to permit the valve'toclose'.y 14 indicatesa Secondary or overload'control valve, the stemof which is connected to an operating lever 15. On the free endofoperating lever 15 isV a roller 16 which rides on a cam 1.7' having aconcentric surface 18 andi an opening surface lool 19. Cam 17 is mountedon a shaft 20. i When shaft 20 moves in a counter clockwise directionvalve 14 is opened, While When it moves in a clockwise direction valve14 is permitted 5 to close. On shaft 20 is a pinion 21 which meshesgwitha'` rack` 22 on amd-23, which forms insubstancean-extensionofVpiston-rod 10. The arrangement is suchl that whenpiston 11m'ovesdownward in cylinder12, primary valve 1 is firstopened`afterwvhiclisecondary valve 14 is opened, While when piston Y 1l moves upward incylinder 12. secondary. valve 14 is closed after which primary valve 1is closed. e

The stem 24 of pilot valve 13 is connected toa Heating lever 25, onelendl ofi which is: connected torod 23 and? the other? end of' Whichisconnected! by alinll 26t'0 the freei. end cf'a governor-lever 27.VGcvernorlever' 2'? pivoted oir a1 bracket arm` as is' indiL catedat 28and' is connectedt'o@suitable speed governon 29, asis-indicated atf' 30331' indi cates the gearing'- through whiehspeed governor29fisdi'ivenfrom the tur-bine shaft. 'Bhe arrangement is' suehthatlwhenthe speedde creases, governor'29 moves the free or'outer endyoff lever 27fupward and whenzthe speedI increases governor 29movestheiieecr outer' end' off lever .275 downward.v Vhen'- the free endof lever 271movesupW-ard pilot valve 13l islifted, thereby'V eiiectinga`movement of piston 11- in a directionF toopenx the* cont-rolf valves,AWhile wlienlever 27ffn`ioves-dbvvnward, pilotvalve 11B? is moved"inldirectionlto ef-` 357 'ect ai; movement o-'piston 1 1 in al directiont0 clos'e the 'Control'valves- 4 Y The; arrangementi Vso far describedis a knownone and isto be takenas-typicalof any suitablegovernor-operated'V val've vmeans for' controlling theadmissionoffelfasti'c fluid'h to ai turbine,- t-heconnectionsincludinglafl'uid op erated motor" and ax usuali'. frnr of followeup arrangement..The illustrationis diagram mat-ic; butftlie' arrangement of' the' partsin'l connection Wit-li* an elastic" ii'uidi turiiinefis' Well-known't'olthose familiar. with this art.

AccordingV toA the embodimentr o" my in venti'on'fshevvr-in Figs: 1iand2, I pr'cvideon flcatinglever 25j-v projecting pin which stands infaslot32" for-med' in theupper endof apist'onrod 33;l wherebytfhere-isformed' allost mot-ion connection ,between-tile floating leverandtherodl Pistonl'rodfis connectedftoapiston 34-locatedinafcylinderfIn: cylinder 35is`a1springmwhicl tends nor-L mally tc force-vr piston34' downward iny the' cylinder.V 35h? i'sl al stop Whiclil serves tolimit#- der. Connected? tothe lbwerendoffcylinder 35 isapipe 36Which'atitsother endlislcon neeted to a' chamber 37 inl] valve casingf38. Chamber- 37' communicates-With anvv admission chamber 39'throu'ghfanopening I4() and Wit'hal dischargeV chamber 4 1-xthroughL an- 35opening42. In valve-ctsingBS-is valve vhighivalue'moves trip finger 46away from the end of'va-lve stemf42a thereby permitting the spring 45 toreverse the positions of valves 48 and44l (Dverspeedlgovernor4f'may beagovernor 'ofi a type .such as 1 that disclosed? in z the patent toDnyerl- 1,666,490 dated: Alpnil.' 17,19285 'f .i Y

Connected to-admissionychamberQ is :i185 supply Vpipe 48- which .maylead to anyr suit-.l able sourceofluidisupply. v For example',.it mayvbevconnected with the lubricating sys tem for; the turbine. ConnectedWitlr diss.- charge` chamber 47A is aldrainpipe' 49 Which. may leadto-any suitable-ijbint'.- Y

Conneoted to cylinden '35 a. predeterminedE distance froml itsloWer'endis-a pipe 50in: whichx isloeatedi a2 two-Way. valve 511 havingran operatinghandle `52,; we Whenth'eoperate ing. handle 52 'is in1theposit'ion-shown inlfigf.:A 1l off the drawings, valve'A lfcon'nectspipe! 501 to conduitlthroughfpi e* connection 53,. WhileWhenoperatingfhan le 52 is-turnedltoi the position' shown in Eig;.2,valvef'l con- 10 nects pipe to a discharge pipe54 Cone nectedltotheupperend ofi cylinden'35'i'sfa dr-ainpipe 541 of" comparatively smafll1siz'e.. It` maybe providedv vviithqa-v valve 54h whicha may be settoregulate'the rate'ofi flow 'oflfllidl' .m5 thrcughpipe 54?."V I 'lWhenpiston 341mml thefpositionishown' in Fig. l" ofthe drawing, rod?33iis rai'sedlto lanext'ent such that Aslot 32lv doesnot' interfere`with-the normal operation ofspeed'goveimo-rl H0 29; the speedigovernor."beingtheni ablefto" move Heating lever 25 U0 bringytheprimary-f and secondary control valves-tof ullyc open' positions.Wlien1piston34i-is iii-the position shown inFig. 2 o-f-f the drawings,Istem iis lccatedlin` aS positionl such; that" the spee'd governorAmaymovev 'floating`-4 lever 251 suil cient) to effect' the opening' ofthepiyimaryconi' trol valve bunt` cannot move" Viicar/ing lever 25t'can'extentsuch as tolefieot openingofthesecondary controll valve'Whenlpiston isfat the bottom of' cylinder 35, :rod 331isfsol positionedthat the speed governor y cannot open eitler'thepriinaryor'secondarycontrol?l valves. Y I 4' y' j In order to. take the; strain!effi the speed?.v -g0vernor,;1loatingf lever 25Vpreferabl'y cornprises-two arms55and 56Twhich are pivdtedf to -eaclrI other andl areconnected'A tcgether a spring 57.- Speed 'governori 29 isconnected 180 1pipes 53 and 50` to the upp-er side of to arm 55 while pilot valve stem24 and rod 33 are connected to arm 56. As long as oating lever25 is freeto move, arms 55 and 56 move together as a unit,.arm 55 being moved'through the intermediary ofv spring 57.

enters through pipe 48 and flows through conduits 36 and 50 to theunderside of the piston. Vhen held in this position, speed governor 29is free to operate the primary and secondary control valves as the loadrequires, it being" .v possible to put fullload on thevturbine.

If the turbine is shut down'either manually or vdue to emergencyconditions, such as overspeeding, trip linger 46 is moved away from theend of stem 42 whereupon spring reverses the positions of valves 43 and44. Vhen this occurs, valve 43 shuts off the the supp-ly of fluidpressure to cylinder 35 and valve 44 connects pipe 36 to discharge pipe49, thereby permitting the fluid pressure under piston 34 to escape.Spring 35 thereupon moves piston 34 to the bottom of cylinder 35. Thismoves rod 33 down to a position such that both the primary and'secondary control valves are closed. In this connection it-will be seenthat irrespective of the position of the speed governor 29, piston 34can move arm 56 against the action of spring 57 to lower pilot valve 13thereby effecting the closing of the primary and secondary controlvalves.

' In order to again start the turbine, it is necessary first to openvalve 43 and close valve 44 and at the same time reset trip finger 46.This serves again to supply liuid pressure through pipe 36 but piston 34will not be raised because when at the bottom of cylinder 35 it is belowthe connection of pipe to the cylinder. As a result, fluid pressuresupplied through pipe 36 flows through piston 34 so that the pressure onthe two sidesy of the piston is equalized to an extent such that pison34 will not be raised against the ac-V tion of spring 35a. This resultsfromxthe fact that drain pipe 54a is of limited area compared to pipe50. To effect an upward movement of piston 34 in cylinder 35. theoperative now moves valve 51 from the position shown in Fig. 1 to thatshown in Fig. 2. This serves to close off pipe 53 and to con'- nect pipe50 to discharge pipe 54. Fluid pressure is now no longer supplied to thei upper side' of piston 34 so that the fluid pressure supplied to theunder side of it raisesthe piston a certain amount as is indicated apilot valve. .V The stem of pilot in Fig. 2.V The piston is raiseduntilits lower edge uncovers pipe 50 to an extent such that the escapeof fluid pressure through pipe-50 willfreduce the pressure under thepiston to a value such that the pressure under the piston just balancesthe pressure of spring 36. This locatesslot 32`in a vposition such thatit permits the speed governor to open theV primary valvemeansbutprevents it from opening the secondary valvel means. This 1s illustratedin Fig. 2 of the drawing.

In order to permit opening of the sec.- ondary control valve, 1t 1snecessary for the from the posioperative to move valve 51 tion shown inF 2 back shown in Fig.v 1. pressure through pipes 36 and 50 moves piston34 to itsuppcrmost position.

Wvith` the above described arrangement therefore, itwill be seen thatafter the turbine has been shutdown, the primary and to the positionWhen 'this is done fluidV secondary valves being closed, the turbine-ycan be started up again only bythe operative first.manipulating valve 51so as to move I piston 34 to a position such that the primary valvemeans can be opened and then again moving valve 51 to a position suchthat the secondary control valve means may be opened. This requires twosuccessive' acts on the part ofthe operative and prevents the accidentalstarting u p of the machine with the secondary control valve means open.l

' In Fig. 3 is illustrated a modification of the invention wherein asingle valve means controls the flow of elastic fluid to the turbine thearrangement being such that the operative may set the mechanism soY asto prevent the valve means being opened beyond a pre- Y determinedamount without first performing a separate act. In Fig. 3, indicates avalve means controlling the liow of elastic fluid to a turbine. Its stemis connected to a lever 61 having a roller 62 on its free end whichengages with a cam 63carried by ashaft64. On shaftg64 is'a pinion 65which meshes with a raclc66 on the upper end of a rod-'67 which at itslower end is connected'tothe piston 68 of a fluid-actuated motor. 69indicates a cylinder of the fluid-actuated motor and'70 valve 70isconnected to a floating lever 71 similar in construction to that oflever '125 shown in Figs.y 1 and 2. One end of floating lever'7-l isconnected to rod 67and theotherend is connected by a link 7 2 to thefree end of the governor lever73. Connected togovernor lever 73 is aspeed governor 74 similar to the speed governor 29 of Figs. land 2`. y

vThe arrangementA so far described illustrates a simple valve meansoperated y'by a speed .governor through the intermediary of afluid-actuated motor the connections including a usual forniof-'follow-up device. The arrangement'is similar kto that shown in iciliu

izo

i so

Figsi, l: and 2. and? is to be taken as typical of! any suitablearrangement of; this type.

Accordingto'the embodiment ofmy in-` vent1on,shownin Fig. ,3, Il`provide a pivotedy hook 75havingfanfend 76 adapted to vhooliover-aVstationary lug'( which inthe present instance is shown asbeing; a part;of the casingoi pilot valve 70. Vllen hook 75 lis hookedf under lug- 77it prevents-speed governor. 74C from movinggfloating lever 7l4 to` anwextent beyondthatrequired toopen valve means apredeterminedfamount. Onthe other hand, whenhook is moved away from'lug 77 the speed governorisfree to fully open control valvemeans GO.V

I may, withA advantage, combine with-hook fazsecond hook78' adapted'toengage a pin- 79 projecting from the one arm: o' floating.

leven 71', thev arrangement being; such that when hook 7 5' is movedaway from lug.7..7hool 78- engages pin;7 9 thereby locking the two anmsof the floating lever together, while wihenlioolr 75' is-movedintoen'gagement with lug 77 hook 7 S` is moved away from pin 7 9.4 Withthe arrangement shown-.in Fig. 3,' it will:

beseen that the operative may lock the floating; lever 71 inz a positionsuch that valve means-6.() canabe opened only. to a predetermined'extent. lVit-li this arrangement, hool; 75 having been moved intoengagement with lugr'f, it is necessary that the hook be disengaged 'romlug'77.. before the operative canl fully load the turbine.'

In; accordance with; the provisions of the patent'. statutes, Ihavefdescribedthe principlef ofV operationV of. my inventiom; togethervwithztheapparatus whichzI now consider toi represent the bestembodiment- 'thereoh but' I-.desire' to *have it understoodA that; theappaf ratus-shown is only illustrative andzthat. the inventionmay becarri-ed out byu other means.

What I.' claim asnew and desire to-secure' by.` Letters atent of theUnited States "is-:-

The combination'with anelasticfl'uidt-urbine having primary andsecondary valve means, agovernor, and Vmechanism vthrough whiclrthegovernor eliects the positioningof said valve means, of means forlocking saidmechanism whereby` thegovernoris Vprevented from effectingopening of said secondary valve means. I j

2'. The vrcombination with anv elastic lluid turbine having primary. andsecondary valve meansoi"` means for preventing starting ot the `turbinewhen the secondary valve'means is open., y.

3.. The combination.- with an elastic fluid turbine having valve meanscontrolling the flow 'of elastic fluid tothe turbine, a governor, andmechanism throughfwhich thel governor moves'the valve means, ofmeansvwhich ,when

the turbine is; shutdown locks saidA mechanism so that-.thegovernorcannot opensaid vallvefmeans,.anduneans for moving said locking' meansin.v successive steps-to. release lthe@ mechanism.'` n Y. i.

4. The. combinatiom with an.. elastic fluid) turbine having valvemeanscont-rollingl the: {low of elastic fluidtotheturbine, a governor,. andmechanism.through wliichthe governor. ino ves the valve means, .offmeans whichawhen the valve means-is closed, automatically .locksthevalvemeans in closed position and:pre-. vents its being'opened'by.lsaid. governor until; the locking meansis releasedx..

l aan@ Combination. wat an elastic, fluid Vturbine having` valvemeans-controlling the ilow of elastic luidtothe turbine, aigovernor, andmechanism through. whiclnthe governor moves the valve means, ofmeanswhich when the vvalve means isclosed, automatically locks the valvemeans in lclosed,positioirand prevents its' being opened bysaidgovernor: until the locking means is released, and means whereby thelocking means mustbe released said valve means, of means which Vwhen thevalve means are closed,.operates to loclcsaid. mechanism so that thegovernor kcannot again, open the secondary valve means untilsaidLlocking means is released..

.8.; riheA combination with an elastic fluid' turbine having valvemeans. for controlling the'admission ofy elastic fluid to the turbine, a-liuidactuated motor including a pilot valve vfor moving thevalve'means, a.=.speedgover.nor, y and'affloating lever.. connectingtliespeed .gov-4 ernortothe fluid actuated motor, ot means associatedwith said floating lever andiv adapted to -move itto bring' the pilotvalve toa position whereinit effects closingr of the valve mea-ns,andfme'ans for restoring the-said meansassociated with saidiioating4lever tot initial position insuccessi've" steps. i

Y 9. Thefcombination; with an elastic. ll'uid turbine vhaving 1 valvemeans, for 'controlling the vadmissionof elasticl'uid to `the turbine afluid"actuatedmotor including a pilot valve for moving thevalve. means,a: speed` g.ov'

ernor, .a floating. lever ,connecting the speedvgovernor to thefluidfactuated motor, andan; overspeed governor, ofmea-nscontrolled byythe overspeed' governor yfor effecting movementoithe floating lever to.binngthe pilot.

valve toa position .whereinit eiifectsclosingg of said valve means, andmeans for releasing said floating lever in successive steps.

10. The combination with an elastic fluid turbine having valve means forcontrolling the admission of elastic fluid to the turbine, a fluidactuated motor including a pilot valve for moving the valve means, aspeed governor, a floating lever connecting the speed governor to theHuid actuated motor, and an overspeed governor, of al fluid actuatedpiston associated with the floating lever and adapted to effect movementof it to bring the pilot valve to a position wherein it effects closingof said valve means, and valve means which controls the application offluid pressure to said piston and which is manipulated to restore thepiston to its normal position in successive steps. Y

11. The combination withan elastic fluid turbine having valve means forcontrolling the admission of elastic fluid to the turbine, a fluidactuated motor including a pilot valve for moving the valve means, aspeed governor, a floating lever connecting the speed governor to thefluid actuated motor, and an overspeed governor, of means controlled bythe overspeed governor for eifecting movement of the floating lever tobring the pilot valve to a position wherein it effects closing of saidvalve means, said overspeed governor controlled means comprising amovable rod and a lost motion connection between said rod and thefloating lever.

12. The combination with an elastic fluid turbine having valve means forcontrolling the admission of elastic fluid to the turbine, and a fluidactuated motor including a pilot valve for moving the valve means, of aspeed governor, a two-part floating lever, yielding means connectingsaid two parts together, means connecting the speed governor to one ofsaid parts, means connecting the pilot valve to the other of said parts,an overspeed governor, and means controlled by the overspeed governorforpeffecting movement of said last referred to floating lever part tobring the pilot valve to a position wherein it effects closing of saidvalve means.

13. The combination with an elastic fluid turbine havingvalve means'forcontrolling the admission of elastic fluid to the turbine, and a fluidactuated motor including a pilot valve for moving the valve means, of aspeed governor, a two-part floating lever, yielding means connectingsaid two parts together, means connecting the speed governor to one ofsaid parts, means connecting the pilot valve to the other of said parts,an overspeed governor, and means controlled by the overspeed governorfor effecting movement of said last referred to floating lever part tobring the pilot valve to a position wherein it effects closing of saidvalve means, said overspeed governor controlled means comprising amovable rod and a lost motion connection bet-Ween the rod and the lastreferred to floating lever part.

14. The combination With an elastic fluid turbine having valve means forcontrolling the admission of elastic fluid to the turbine, and a fluidactuated motor including a pilot valve for moving the valve means, of aspeed governor, a two-part floating lever, yielding means connectingsaid two parts together, means connecting the speed governor to one ofsaid parts, means connecting the pilot valve to the other of said parts,an overspeed governor, and means controlled by the Voverspeed governorfor effecting movement of saidlast referred to floating lever part tobring the pilot valve to a position wherein it effects closing of saidvalve means, said overspeed governor controlled means comprising apiston and a lost motion connection between said piston and the lastreferred to floating lever part'.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 18th day of May,1928.

REED J. CAUGHEY lill)

